Perimenopause and hair loss. What you need to know

The perimenopause, the period before full menopause begins, can affect your hair's texture and thickness. You may start to notice that your hair becomes dull and dry, is thinner than it used to be and falls out easier.

This is mainly due to the fact your body's oestrogen levels are dropping. Oestrogen is important in maintaining the growing phase of your hair's life cycle, so a sudden drop will cause a shorter growth cycle and hair will shed quicker than it used to.

Added to this, menopause causes androgen levels – the 'male hormone' - in your body to rise as oestrogen falls. Androgens reduce the hair shaft diameter and volume, as they bind to hair follicles and force them to stop growing quicker than normal so that new hair grows thinner with each cycle of hair growth. The hair follicles may also start to shrink, which can lead to hair loss.

To counter these natural body changes, Dr Edward Ball of The Maitland Clinic says it is important to avoid anything that causes stress or harm to your hair. Avoid harsh colouring treatments or chemical procedures such as hair straightening, as this can damage the hair shaft. Be aware that tight hairstyles, such as braiding and ponytails or adding extensions to the hair, can also irritate the hair root and cause hair loss.

There are lots of clever styling tricks you can use to help disguise the effects of thinning hair and make it appear thicker, explains award-winning hairdresser Andrew Jose . He suggests prepping hair with a body-building mousse by applying it directly to the roots, then flipping the hair upside down to dry it – an old trick but it works!

Another top tip is to set hair with hot rollers on partly dried hair, rolling hair away from the face in sections from forehead to crown, and leaving for 15 minutes before removing. And when wearing hair up, use a coloured root touch-up spray around the hairline to fill thinner areas and create the illusion of a thick and voluminous hairline.

Andrew recommends using haircare products designed to cope with the problems you are experiencing, such as SALON SCIENCE – available at Boots – which uses plant stem-cell bio active technology derived from premium skincare. Formulated to deliver powerful ingredients straight to the hair follicle via the scalp to stimulate, nourish and rejuvenate the hair, its hair loss range has been clinically proven to help initiate the growth of new hair.

It may be time to think about changing your hairstyle, which should also boost your mood as well as cleverly disguise any areas of concern. Your hairdresser will be able to advise what will work best for you; one option is a blunt, chin-length cut, which is low maintenance and can be easily blow-dried to create lots of volume and the illusion of a thicker head of hair. This style is particularly good for hair that has all-over thinning areas at the crown or the back of the head.

Cutting blunter edges and adding layers to the hair, also creates the illusion of fullness. Opt for layers cut close to the face to add volume, leaving the back fuller to make it look thicker. And a sweeping fringe is a great way to camouflage a sparse hairline.

Talk to your GP to identify any associated medical conditions, as well as hormone and vitamin deficiencies, which may be exaggerating your hair loss issues as you go through perimenopause. Many women find that HRT alleviates symptoms, but take medical advice before choosing this option. In extreme cases, you may want to consider laser therapy or a hair transplant to combat the issue.

While it is reassuring to know that some degree of hair thinning and hair loss is normal and to be expected during the menopause, you should be wary of excessive situations. Warning signs to watch out for include large clumps of hair falling out when washing, small bald patches appearing on the scalp, noticeable hair thinning on the front, sides or top of the head, and a red, oily or itchy scalp. Seek medical advice if you are concerned about increasing levels of hair loss and sudden and dramatic changes to your hair and scalp.